Free Workshops to Help Storm Survivors Salvage Family Treasures

Virgin Islanders can learn how to preserve family heirlooms and salvage keepsakes damaged by the hurricanes by attending a free workshop. Specialists from the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative will be on hand to discuss preservation options and demonstrate how to handle, dry, and clean damaged objects.

Two workshops offer attendees an opportunity to meet with experts and participate in a question-and-answer session:

St. Thomas, June 10, noon to 3 p.m. at Charles Wesley Turnbull Public Library in Tutu Park. (Formal demonstrations are scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

St. Croix, June 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Frederik Historic Landmark Site in Fredriksted. (Formal demonstrations are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

Due to safety concerns, please do not bring damaged objects to the workshop. Feel free to bring photographs to share with the preservation experts if you have specific questions.

These free and public workshops are presented by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force – a partnership led by the Smithsonian Institution and FEMA, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Generous funding support is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.